We all have a responsibility to reduce our carbon footprint and lessen the impact of global warming. That’s why the 2013 Green Inaugural Ball, aside from “greening” the event, has teamed up with Carbonfund.org to reduce its carbon footprint with two carbon offset projects: The Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge Reforestation Project and the New Bedford Landfill Gas-to-Energy Methane Project.

As a green event, we just couldn’t miss out on the opportunity to reduce the Green Ball’s climate impact, and help pave the road toward a clean energy future.

This area was once covered in dense forests, but now it supports less than 20% of its original 22 million forested acres due to decades of land conversion for agriculture. Why are forestry projects important? They help offset the effects of climate change, and help improve the quality of top soil, reduce and control erosion, protect and filter water while reducing the threat of flooding, produce oxygen and nutrients and provide habitats for wildlife.

New Bedford Landfill Gas-to-Energy Methane Project

This landfill gas-to-energy plant, located in Greater New Bedford, MA., not only produces 3.3 megawatts hours of clean electricity, but also reduces the amount of methane released into our atmosphere. Why is the destruction of methane important? It’s approximately 21 to 23 times more powerful as a greenhouse than carbon dioxide, and a major contributor to climate change. A major concern about climate change is the release of an enormous amount of methane –previously trapped in permafrost in frozen tundra areas like Siberia and Northern Canada – into our atmosphere.

Office supplies products distributor GoECOlife™ has renewed its commitment to carbon neutral products for a third year in a row. GoECOLife™ – Live Responsibly.

Rancho Dominguez, CA and Bethesda MD., August 23, 2012- Carbonfund.org Foundation and NSF International are proud to announce that GoECOlife™ has certified over 35 products as carbon neutral though the CarbonFree® Product Certification Program. GoECOlife is, “committed to delivering the best-in-class product to you. Being environmentally responsible does not mean one must sacrifice performance, style or innovation.”

To earn the CarbonFree® Product Certification, these products underwent a rigorous product life-cycle assessment, performed by WSP Group, to determine the per unit carbon footprint. In addition to using energy-saving technology, GoECOlife™ reduced the remaining carbon footprint through support of Carbonfund.org’s third-party validated renewable energy, energy efficiency and reforestation projects. But true to their commitment, GoECOlife has not sacrificed performance, style, or innovation.

For example, the GoECOlife™ Platinum Series™ Paper Shredder (GXC120Ti) which carries the CarbonFree® label was one of four shredders “RECOMMENDED” by Consumer Reports in their 2011 paper shredder review. 19 paper shredders from various brands were tested for speed, capacity and convenience. The GoECOlife™ GXC120Ti rated well in all categories. This means that consumers can feel confident that they are purchasing a quality product that works well for the consumer and the earth.

“GoECOLife has shown that what’s good for the environment is also good business. These innovative office products are providing vital business needs while reducing carbon dioxide emissions and helping solve global climate change. We are thrilled to continue this critical business partnership and applaud GoECOLife for their leadership and commitment to the environment,” says Eric Carlson, President of Carbonfund.org Foundation.

The CarbonFree® label that Carbonfund.org and NSF International jointly offer helps companies distinguish their products and enhance their brand. This gives consumers a tangible, easy to understand choice that they can make to decrease their environmental impact in their purchase decisions. GoECOlife™ CarbonFree products wonderfully illustrates this.

GoECOlife™ products are available at office retailers around the world or by visiting: www.goecolife.com.

About CarbonFree Certification

Carbonfund.org Foundation and NSF Sustainability, a division of NSF International, manage the CarbonFree Product Certification Program, the first carbon neutral product label in North America, and the over 100 certified products from leading companies in multiple industries. CarbonFree certified products are sold in fifteen countries.

Bethesda, MD and Long Island City, NY, March 1, 2012 – The Carbonfund.org Foundation is proud to announce Forever Cheese as the launch partner for our Earth Day 2012 Promotion. With Carbonfund.org’s plant two-get one free tree planting promotion, 7,500 trees have already been planted.

Earth Day 2012 can be one of the most successful yet with early planning from organizations like Carbonfund.org and partners like Forever Cheese. Carbonfund.org is pleased to offer a 2012 Earth Day promotion that allows businesses to get one free tree planted for every two trees that they purchase. This means that for $2, three trees get planted at locations around the world. Forever Cheese immediately stepped up and set the bar by planting 7,500 trees globally. With the help of Forever Cheese and other partners, Carbonfund.org is confident that we can reach our goal to plant a million trees by the end of the year. In 2011, we planted over 325,000 trees. Earth Day 2012 provides a perfect celebration for businesses like Forever Cheese to be a part of this collaborative, global effort, and help us reach a million planted trees.

Deforestation is responsible for about 20% of global warming. And, reforestation has to be part of the solution in order to turn the tide of climate change. Tree planting projects sequester CO2 from the atmosphere, prevent erosion, protect biodiversity, and provide renewable resources for local communities. Planting trees provides flood control by minimizing runoff and the loss of top soil, provides habitat and nutrition for wildlife and nurseries for local fish populations, and offers alternative economic livelihoods for local communities in the form of managing tree nurseries and planting, assisting with regulation of the water and nutrient cycle. This promotion is a win-win for both planet and people.

To learn how you can plant three trees for $2 please contact Alterra Hetzel at ahetzel@carbonfund.org and take advantage of this 2012 Earth Day Promotion.

About Forever Cheese: Forever Cheese is committed to sourcing the finest cheeses and specialty foods from Italy, Spain, Portugal and Croatia. Forever Cheese was founded in 1998 and since then has been sourcing unique and stellar quality. The company represents exclusively the following brands: Fulvi®, Dehesa Cordobesa®, El Trigal®, Drunken Goat®, Ca De Ambros®, Bonati, Italfine, Caro, Flor de Cardo, Casa Pareja, CARM and Mitica®. Forever Cheese products can be found in the finest specialty food shops and restaurants across the country. www.forevercheese.com

About Carbonfund.org: Carbonfund.org a nonprofit organization that is leading the fight against global warming, making it easy and affordable for any individual, business or organization to reduce & offset their climate impact and hasten the transition to a clean energy future. Since 2003, Carbonfund.org has partnered with over 2,000 business and 750,000 individuals on climate solutions. www.carbonfund.org

]]>ahetzel@carbonfund.org (Alterra Hetzel)press releasesFri, 02 Mar 2012 15:26:07 -0500New Year's Resolution: Reduce your Carbon Footprinthttp://carbonfund.org/press-releases/item/4499-years-resolution-reduce-carbon-footprint
http://carbonfund.org/press-releases/item/4499-years-resolution-reduce-carbon-footprintIn early 2011 Carbonfund.org made a resolution to decrease our internal carbon footprint as much as possible (and of course offsetting our remaining footprint with external carbon reduction projects). We moved into a virtual office environment, eliminating the emissions of our office heat, electricity, and server operations. By doing this we also eliminated commuting emissions, and anyone who lives in the DC area knows that this can mean hours in the car a day! Further, we shifted to electronic operations, now sending our certificates and tax receipts electronically to avoid the emissions associated with shipping. For businesses, reducing emissions and reducing costs go hand-in-hand and setting a corporate resolution to decrease your emissions makes good business sense! However, individuals can also take this time to make a personal resolution to reduce emissions too.
Try something new this year by making a pact with the planet for a leaner and greener carbon footprint. Here's how:
1. Drive more efficiently or take transit: Depending on the size of your car, you could be reducing a ton or two or more of carbon dioxide a year by combining trips, mapping out your trip and opting for public transit when possible. You can also fit in aerobic exercise and enjoy the fresh air by walking or biking.
2. Ditch your old bulbs: Compact fluorescent light bulbs and light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs are available for more energy-efficient lighting, which reduces your carbon footprint by using one-third or less of the energy. A single bulb could save you around $40 or more over its lifetime.
3. Stop the junk mail: It's estimated that clearing forests for junk mail produces as much greenhouse gas emissions as 9 million cars. You can dramatically reduce your junk mail through the service of our nonprofit partner 41pounds, which will contact dozens of mailing companies to remove your name from lists, including catalogs you specify. The cost is $41 for you or a household for five years, and 41pounds will donate $15 to Carbonfund.org to support our carbon reduction efforts. Sign up now.
4. Eat fresh: When life gets hectic, it may be easy on you to rely mostly on prepackaged foods for meals, but it can take a toll on the environment. Start the new year with a resolution to plan some meals drawn from locally sourced food. Make this commitment easy by joining a farm co-op or getting local produce from your market.
5. Go carbon neutral: Make reducing your carbon footprint an integral part of your life by committing to reduce what you can and offset what you can't this year to support third-party validated projects that are reducing emissions globally. Check out Carbonfund.org's calculators to reduce your climate impact from your home, travel or business and consider going carbon neutral as a ZeroCarbon™ individual or family in support of our innovative projects.
Check out these energy-saving tips for more ways to do your part for our environment in the new year. And have a Happy Sustainable New Year!]]>ahetzel@carbonfund.org (Alterra Hetzel)carbonfree blogThu, 29 Dec 2011 09:28:59 -0500A Wine and Cheese Match Made in Sustainabilityhttp://carbonfund.org/press-releases/item/4488-wine-cheese-match-sustainability
http://carbonfund.org/press-releases/item/4488-wine-cheese-match-sustainabilityWhen you combine California wine and European cheese you get a match made in heaven - andnow - sustainability. In 2010, Benziger Family Wine and Forever Cheese Inc. both committed to reducing their carbon footprint by supporting Carbonfund.org’s innovative carbon reduction projects.
After taking aggressive measures to reduce their carbon footprint as much as they could, Benziger came to Carbonfund.org to offset the carbon emissions they were unable to reduce. Their donation supported truck stop electrification, which reduces tailpipe emissions from freight trucks that transport consumer goods all across the country.
With this project, drivers can shut off their engines and utilize the advanced truck stop electrification technology for electricity and heat. This project is relevant to their business, to their region and environment.
Forever Cheese Inc. has been a Carbonfund.org partner for many years with their generous donations to support renewable energy and reforestation projects. They are committed to doing their part in helping our planet, and their donation is supporting renewable energy projects.
Now on to the delicious, fun and fuss-free part.
Try Forever Cheese’s Rustico® Black Pepper, semi-soft sheep’s milk cheese from the countryside of Rome, with Benziger’s 2008 Appellation Series Chardonnay with its luxurious, round mouthfeel and creamy texture . If you prefer red, match Forever Cheese’s Mitica® Malvarosa , a buttery sheep’s milk cheese from Valencia, Spain or Romao® Rosemary Cheese from La Mancha with Benziger’s 2006 Stone Farm Cabernet Sauvignon with its flavors of toasted oak, spicy pepper and anise balanced against dark fruit like currant and ripe plum.
Check out more brilliant wine and cheese pairing ideas from Forever Cheese's extremely useful wine and cheese pairing guide: http://forevercheese.com/pairing.asp.]]>ahetzel@carbonfund.org (Alterra Hetzel)carbonfree blogThu, 06 Jan 2011 10:17:24 -0500Win a year supply of @EcoAlkalines batteries from #Cat5tv!http://carbonfund.org/press-releases/item/4487-win-year-supply-ecoalkalines-batteries-cat5tv
http://carbonfund.org/press-releases/item/4487-win-year-supply-ecoalkalines-batteries-cat5tvCarbonFree Certified Eco Alkaline Batteries wants to give away a year of batteries for free!!!!!!! Here is the re-post of their contest details:Yeah! The name to remember is Eco Alkalines. These puppies (no, they're not actually Puppies, but they could power robotic puppies if you have them, so that's a bonus) are Lead, Cadmium and Mercury free, which means they're much friendly to the earth than the traditional alkaline, and way friendlier to the earth than rechargeables, which typically leak terrible things into the soils and are also dangerous for the workers who manufacture them.
Eco Alkalines also believe in using as much recycled material as possible during manufacturing, and what little (comparitively speaking) carbon footprint they have is offset, and they are the world's first carbon neutral battery, certified by Carbonfund.Here's how to qualify:Casting Your Ballots: (You must do at least one of these. The more you do, the higher your chances of winning)

Visit EcoAlkalines.com to learn all you need to know about why eco-friendly Eco Alkalines are something us eco-conscious people can really get excited about.

Optionally register a free account on the Category5.TV web site. By registering your account as part of this contest, the winner will also receive 250 bonus Viewer Points.

CONTEST CLOSES AT MIDNIGHT SEPTEMBER 26, 2011
(Local time to Category5 TV Studios)
The contest winner will be announced on Category5 Technology TV's broadcast on Tuesday September 27, 2011.
For the legal details and more information visit: http://www.category5.tv/blog/win-a-year-supply-of-ecoalkalines-batteries.php]]>ahetzel@carbonfund.org (Alterra Hetzel)carbonfree blogTue, 20 Sep 2011 09:27:30 -0400Come Visit Carbonfund.org at Virgin Mobile FreeFest 2010http://carbonfund.org/press-releases/item/4465-visit-carbonfundorg-virgin-mobile-freefest-2010
http://carbonfund.org/press-releases/item/4465-visit-carbonfundorg-virgin-mobile-freefest-2010This year’s Virgin Mobile Festival is poised to bring a day of free music to the D.C. metro area. At Saturday’s concert at Merriweather Post Pavilion will be M.I.A., Pavement, Ludacris, Thievery Corporation, LCD Soundsystem, Joan Jett, Matt and Kim, Jimmy Eat World, T.I., Chromeo and more artists on several stages.
Instead of taking money, Virgin Mobile FreeFest’s motto is “We’ll take care of the tickets. You take care of the karma.” They are trading tickets for volunteering, taking donations, and have the message on the grounds to “get involved.” Last year, volunteers donated about 30,000 hours and raised $80,000. They turned Merriweather “green.” And they invited nonprofits to educate the public on ways to get involved.
That’s where Carbonfund.org comes in. Virgin Mobile FreeFest has invited us to spend the day there talking with concertgoers on how to Reduce Where You Can, Offset What You Can’t. Carbonfund.org will have a booth to hand out information on reducing one’s carbon footprint and offsetting. The festival itself is taking many reduction measures including composting, recycling, biodegradable food service items, running on B99 biodiesel fuel, and, of course, carbon-offsetting.
We will see you at the festival!
Have an event you would like to offset? Click here.]]>ahetzel@carbonfund.org (Alterra Hetzel)carbonfree blogThu, 23 Sep 2010 11:14:34 -0400Virgin America Wows with Newly Released Sustainability Principleshttp://carbonfund.org/press-releases/item/4464-virgin-americas-2009-sustainability-report-proud
http://carbonfund.org/press-releases/item/4464-virgin-americas-2009-sustainability-report-proudThe idea behind Virgin America is to "build a new kind of airline from the guest up," and that includes flying in the face of conventional ideas about sustainability. Founded just four years ago in 2007, Virgin America is growing fast and keeping a focus on their environmental impact the whole way.
In their recently released sustainability report, Virgin America details green measures taken as well as the principles that guide future environmental decisions. These “Sustainability Principles” include a commitment to transparency, leadership in carbon efficiency, investment in sustainable growth (things like LEED-certified buildings and terminals) and collaboration with industry groups and partners like Carbonfund.org.
So what did the report find? The Virgin America fleet is 25% more fuel efficient than the U.S. average and, for their second year of operations, will continue to lead the nation in carbon efficiency with a .7% reductions in GHG emission despite the overall growth in its fleet and operations over the year. Virgin America recycles on 39% of their flights and has committed to increasing aluminum recycling to 50% by January 2011 and to 75% by 2012. In 2011, they are also pursuing Gold or higher LEED certification for the Virgin section of a new San Francisco terminal – a first for a major airport terminal in the U.S.
In addition, through their partnership with Carbonfund.org Virgin offers guests the ability to offset their in-flight travel with the touch-screen entertainment platform. This is a new, innovate way to engage customers in sustainable travel while they're actually flying.
Virgin also annually offsets their corporate headquarters' emissions. One of the projects that Virgin supports is the Truck Stop Electrification project, which reduces tailpipe emissions from some of the heaviest emitters of all: the 18-wheelers that transport our consumer goods all over the country. The project installs a small device in trucker cabins that eliminates the need to keep the engine running for power during rest stops. The technology in this device allows truckers to heat and power the interior of their truck, run the radio and check email without forcing the engine to burn diesel, saving a gallon of diesel per hour of operation.
To learn more about Virgin America's sustainable practices, click here to read their full sustainability report.]]>ahetzel@carbonfund.org (Alterra Hetzel)carbonfree blogMon, 07 Feb 2011 12:25:53 -0500Virgin America LEAPs into the Future with New Eco-Efficient Engineshttp://carbonfund.org/press-releases/item/4462-virgin-america-leaps-future-ecoefficient-engines
http://carbonfund.org/press-releases/item/4462-virgin-america-leaps-future-ecoefficient-enginesCarbonfund.org is thrilled to share this press release from CarbonFree Partner Virgin America announcing a huge stride in aviation sustainability. Virgin America is the first airline to purchase this new commercial aircraft engine touted as one of the most fuel-efficient in the world.
Virgin America today announces that it has selected CFM International’s advanced LEAP™ engine to power 30 new Airbus A320neo aircraft scheduled to begin delivery in 2016. In addition, the airline has selected the CFM56-5B engine to power 30 of its current technology A320s on order. The engine orders have a combined value of $1.4 billion at list price.
In January, the airline announced it would nearly triple its fleet size with an order for 60 new Airbus A320 Family aircraft – including the first commercial order for the new eco-efficient Airbus A320neo. Together, the A320neo and the LEAP™ engine promise to deliver one of the world’s most fuel-efficient commercial aircraft, with more than 15 percent improved fuel efficiency, corresponding improvements in carbon efficiency and double digit reductions in NOx emissions. Virgin America estimates this will deliver a fuel cost savings to the carrier of $1.9 million per aircraft per year.
To celebrate the new LEAP™ technology and its own growth, the carrier today launches a “Flyers, Start Your Engines” fare sale. To further mark the milestone order, CFM International and parent companies GE and Snecma (Safran Group) will purchase carbon offsets for the first 5,000 flights booked today at www.virginamerica.com.
“Choosing LEAP™ gives us the best of all worlds – the most advanced technology, significant fuel savings, consistency with our current fleet and the reliability of CFM,” said Virgin America President and CEO David Cush. “Our airline is known for taking a different approach to amenities, design and service in order to make travel better. But we’re just as committed to finding new ways to make travel more sustainable, even as we grow. The A320neo and the LEAP™ engine together will create one of the world’s most fuel-efficient commercial aircraft. Our investment today will ultimately help us take a major leap forward in terms of efficiency.”
Virgin America’s current A320 Family fleet is powered by the CFM56 engine and is up to 25 percent more fuel efficient than other domestic fleets and one of the most carbon-efficient in the U.S. on an RPM basis. The LEAP™ engine and the A320neo with the new wing tip “Sharklets” will yield even greater efficiencies. Compared to aircraft powered by today’s best engines, the A320neo with the LEAP™ engine will provide more than 15 percent improved fuel efficiency and equivalent reductions in CO2 emissions, double digit reductions in NOx emissions, reduced engine noise and lower operating costs. Based on Virgin America’s use and operation of the aircraft, it is estimated that the LEAP™ advances will offer Virgin America an annual fuel savings of $1.9 million per aircraft at current fuel prices. With the LEAP™ engine, the A320neo aircraft will also offer increased performance range and emit 3,600 fewer tons of CO2 per aircraft on an annual basis.
“Flyers, Start Your Engines” fare sale tickets start today from $79, restrictions, taxes and fees apply. Tickets must be purchased by 11:59pm PDT June 20, 2011, and travel must occur between August 24, 2011, and November 16, 2011. Tickets are on sale today and can be purchased at Virgin America’s Web site (www.virginamerica.com) and at 1.877.FLY.VIRGIN (1.877.359.8474).
To mark the order, engine manufacturer CFM International and parent companies GE and Snecma (Safran Group) will purchase Carbonfund.org offsets for the first 5,000 flights booked today at www.virginamerica.com.
Carbonfund.org, the nation’s leading nonprofit carbon offset provider, offers independently verified projects which are focused on emissions reduction and energy efficiency. Virgin America was the first U.S. airline to allow guests to offset the carbon footprint of their flight from the air – via Carbonfund.org offsets offered on the Red™ in-flight entertainment platform. The airline voluntarily offsets the carbon footprint of its headquarters operation on an annual basis. For more on the program, visit: www.carbonfund.org/virginamerica
Since its launch in August 2007, Virgin America has created 2000 new jobs and grown to serve multiple destinations across North America. As one of the few growing U.S. airlines, Virgin America continues to expand its fleet, growing from its current 39 aircraft to a projected fleet of 52 aircraft by mid-2012.ï¿½ The low-fare airline has expanded service to Orlando, Dallas-Fort Worth, Los Cabos, Cancun and Chicago in the past six months alone. The airline will add 500 new jobs on annual basis and expand to two-to-three new destinations per year over the next several years. Known for friendly service, beautifully designed cabins and inventive amenities, like touch-screen entertainment at every seat, Virgin America has swept the major reader-based travel awards since its launch, including ï¿½Best Domestic Airlineï¿½ in Condï¿½ Nast Travelerï¿½s Readersï¿½ Choice Awards and Travel + Leisureï¿½s Worldï¿½s Best Awards.
“Virgin continues to lead the industry at making airline travel more sustainable,” said Mindy S. Lubber, president of Ceres, a coalition of investors and NGOs that works with companies on sustainability challenges. “Its purchase of highly-efficient new engines demonstrates that business expansion can be done in a way that is beneficial to both the environment and the bottom line.”
With investments in the A320neo, LEAP™ engines and green buildings, the California-based Virgin America is committed to improving its efficiency – even as it grows. The airline is also proud to be affiliated with the Virgin Group, which has committed to reinvesting all profits from Virgin-transport related businesses to renewable fuels research and other initiatives that combat climate change.
LEAP™ is a product of CFM International (CFM), a 50/50 joint company between Snecma (Safran group) and GE.]]>ahetzel@carbonfund.org (Alterra Hetzel)carbonfree blogWed, 15 Jun 2011 09:27:34 -0400